TAWS - Trees

I am a big fan of The Alley Way Stamps (TAWS).  Their stamps are so my style, but I have yet to actually buy any of their sets (I have been using their digital "freebies").  I don't know why I haven't, so I am hoping that maybe I can win a set or two.  So I have included TAWS onto my "short" list of challenges that I will participate in.  I've got to win one of these times.  But you can't win if you don't play.  So here it goes:

This is the card I created based off of the inspiration photo they provided.  Inside I stamped "Merry Christmas".

Inspiration Photo

I think I did a pretty decent job.  I focused in on the polka dots and not so much the mugs.  Although I struggled pretty hard in trying to get a decent picture.  It's cloudy and rainy here today, so I wasn't able to use the "natural light" that I usually do to get my shots.  I think I may need to create an actual light box so I won't have this issue.  But that takes time away from other "real" work, like making more cards!

Challenges Entered

The Alley Way Stamps - Inspiration Photo

Products Used

Trees (digital stamp) - The Alley Way Stamps

Paper - Polka Dots - Cricut (Provo Craft) Doodlecharms paper pack

Paper – Misc scrap

Gems - Close to My Heart - Epoxy bubbles

Sketch used was Stamping 411 #136

Blue Train

I absolutely LOVE sketches.  I cannot create a card (or scrapbook page) without one.  But there are so many out there and I want to do them all.  But that is overwhelming, so I keep a file (on my computer) of my most favorites and use them as inspiration for the challenges I enter.  That is why you will see me reference many "old" sketches in my posts.  I don't enter any sketch challenges because it puts too much "pressure" on me to use that particular sketch and it hinders my creative mojo.  I know that is weird, but that's my process!

So on to my next challenge.  This is a cute kid card, which I don't have hardly enough of these in my stash.  And I really should have a bunch.  I'm at that age now where I have plenty of nieces and nephews to warrant a large supply!

This card is for the Heart to Heart (H2H) challenge - Seeing Double - and this is my interpretation:

  

Challenges Entered

Heart to Heart Challenges - "Seeing Double"

Products Used

Train stamp - "Little Boys" - Close to My Heart

Paper - Misc unknown, scraps

Sketch used was Mojo Monday #104

Pearfect

It has been a while since my last post.  It's taken me some time to get used to my new full time work schedule, kids & family.  But I think I have finally gotten some sort of rhythm down and can get back to some challenges.  I have narrowed them down to only about 3 that I will consistently enter.  So here is my "back on the wagon" entry for H2H & RCS.

Challenges Entered

Heart to Heart Challenges - Grateful

Red Carpet Challenge - Food theme

Stamps Used
Mayberry - Close to My Heart
Cricut Artiste Collection Word Balloons - Close to My Heart

Sketch used was Freshly Made #2

Colors used was Color Q #1

OWH #01

Keeping up with card making lately has been a challenge.  I got a job, so I won't have as much time to "play around" during the day!!  But I will still try to make at least a couple cards a week and try to enter some challenges.  I really want to win some free stuff!!

Here is what I was able to create.  I stayed true to my goal of going through the OWH sketches.  They are easy to use to get a good stash going.  As I am trying to keep on top of mailing out ACTUAL Birthday cards to people and not just a generic wish on their Facebook page!!

Very basic design and I was able to use the "You're My Type" stamp set from Stampin' Up.  I really love this vintage typewriter. I like that this color scheme is masculine as well.  I need more manly cards in my stash.  They have birthdays too!

Here is the sketch #01

Challenges Entered:

Little Tangles - Use Kraft

Thanks for stopping by!

H2H "Pun Fun"

I am so overwhelmed by all of the fabulous challenge sites out there!  I want to do them all, but do not have that kind of time.  But I still want to challenge myself to create more cards and use all of the great products that I have.  I am a sucker for a great (and easy) sketch to follow, so I have a plan of going through all of the OWH sketches.  They are really basic sketches and they provide sizes!!  Hooray!

Along with using the OWH sketches I will follow the H2H challenges and Red Carpet Studio.  And then I will sprinkle in others if they fit with what I am creating at the time.  It is so hard to go minimal with the challenges, when I want so badly to cram in as many as I can.  But I need to have time to take care of other things, like my family (drag!)  LOL

So here is my start with the OWH sketches.  This one is sketch 116.  My theme of the card goes with the challenge this week for H2H and for Paper Playtime, which is to make a card using a "pun".

I used the stamp set "Howdy" from CTMH, which I borrowed from my very good friend Heather (who is also a CTMH consultant).  It's great to have friends to share stamps with.  That way you have a super abundance of stamps to use and don't have to "buy" them all!

Thanks for checking out my blog and hopefully you will be back to see how I am getting along in my sketch journey!

Challenges Entered:

H2H - Use a pun

Paper Playtime - Use a pun

Hiding in my Craft Room - Anything goes

Simply Create Too - Animals

CAS Birthday

I love being able to use up some "odd" paper.  You know the ones that look cool, but you can't seem to find a way to use them.  So the sketch this week from Seize the Birthday was a perfect way to use up some "special" paper.

I have tried using this paper before, but it was so bold, it "didn't work well with others."  So this CAS sketch was perfect.  The paper was able to be the star of the show and not compete with anything else.  The other challenge this week was for it to be a masculine birthday.  Well I think that black, orange and white seem to be "fairly" masculine!

Sketch from Seize the Birthday #11

Other Challenges Entered:

The Pink Elephant - CAS

The Cat's Pajamas - Black/White + One color

H2H Moustache

This week's challenge at H2H was a true challenge.  They asked for you to use a moustache in your creation.      I know they are all the rage right now, but I have not gotten into them at all.  So I was at a real block on what I was going to do and where am I going to find a moustache?  Well that part was easy, there is a cut file on the new Cricut Artiste cartridge.  So that problem was solved, but now what to do with it?

I surfed the interweb and found a super cute idea from a greeting card company, so I "lifted" the idea and here is what I made!

Not bad I say.  Very basic and simple, but it got the job done!

I left the inside blank for now because I don't know if I want this to be a Halloween card or a birthday card to someone who has a birthday close to Halloween.

Thanks for stopping by!

Supplies used:

Dreamin' paper pack - paper

Cricut Artiste - moustache

Cricut Art Philosophy - triangles

Other Challenges entered:

CAS-ual Fridays - no stamps

RCS #28

This is my creation for this weeks challenge over at Red Carpet Studios.  The challenge is to create a layout using ribbon.  Easy enough.  I'm pretty basic with my usage of ribbon in my layouts.   I use as accents and not to frilly.

I added the two pieces of ribbon (on the left) to add a little more detail and interest to the page.  These are pictures of my daughter when she was 7 months old!

Thanks for taking the time to look at my creation!

Heart 2 Heart newbie

I have been reading the Heart 2 Heart challenge blog for a while now, but never entered a project.  I like the fact that this is a brand specific challenge, because it will force me to use certain products.  So I thought I would finally enter a project since they are doing a "special" drawing for "newbies."

So here is my stab at one of the challenges for the month:  GO Green

I went pretty literal with the theme and just created something green.

Here is a view of the inside as well.

Products Used:

Be Yourself - stamp set (CTMH)

Happy Birthday - stamp set (CTMH)

Mayberry - paper pack (CTMH)

Art Philosphy - cricut cartridge

Card design based off of sketch from CAS #203

Thanks for stopping by.  I am hoping to keep going with these challenges!!

RCS #27

Well I have been out of the "challenge game" for a while now.  Things got really busy around here and I think I was trying to do too many challenges before.  So now I am going to ease my way back into things.  And I came across a fabulous challenge site that I fell in love with, Red Carpet Studios.  They feature weekly challenges with a "movie" theme.  Well I am a sucker for movies and thought this was right up my alley.

The theme this week is the movie "Leprechaun", and we are to create a card using two shades of green.

The inside sentiment reads "but not your age."

This card was based off of an old sketch from The Sweet Stop sketch challenge #42

Thanks for stopping by!